Brassiere or the like



a. A. KAUFMANN BRAssIERE. OR THE LIKE July 13, 1931;

Filed Oct. 50, 1934 INVENTOR. fieozyeAMWM ATTORNEYJ' l Patented July. 1937 lug-IT UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BRASSIERE OR THE LIKE George Kaufmann, Essex Fells, N. J.

Application October 30, 1934, Serial No. 750,618

2 Claims.

The present invention relates to breast sup-- porting devices, such as brassieres or combination undergarments having brassire-like, upper portions, and comprises a novel device of this type 5 which will conform to the figure of the wearer, will provide comfortable but adequate support for the;breasts and which may be simply and economically made;

A feature of the invention is the provision of reinforcing portions in the lower portions of the breast pockets which portions are so constructed as to be stiff enough to provide the proper lift or support to thebreasts over a substantial area while being soft enough to avoid undue or localized pressure.

For a better understanding of the invention reference may be had to the accompanying drawing of which--- r Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a brassiereembo dying the invention, and

Fig. 2 isa similar viewfof the upper portion of V a one-piece garmentillustrating a modified form of the invention. I The brassiere illustrated in Fig. 1 comprises the breast pocketsZ andfi, shoulder straps 6, and front and body sections 8 and I ll respectively. The pockets 2 and 4 in the embodiment of the in- Vention illustrated in Fig. 1 are provided with lower reinforced portions 12 each of which is of thereof extending vertically upward from the base of the pocket toward the upper apex of the corded tion l2 applies a firm but gentle lifting pressure over a relatively large part of the under side of and smoothly to the body ofthe wearer. The

provision of the corded portions I2 with their vertically disposed, relatively fine cords, insures proper support without undue orflocalized pressure and gives a .well formed appearance to the figure without undue accentuation of the breasts such as would occur with stiffer or less yielding supporting means.

Instead of forming the breast supporting pore relatively finely corded material with the cords l4 portion. When the brassiere is in use, each por-q the breast and the entire brassire fits snugly imposed over the material l6 forming the lower portions of the breast pockets 2 and. 4 of the brassire portion of a garment. The portions I20, are preferably stitched about their periphery or at least along the vertical edges thereof, to the material l6 and are positioned, as in Fig. 1, with the cords M thereof extending vertically of the garment.

. Portions l2a maybe triangular in shape, or as in the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 1, or may be more nearly square as illustrated in Fig. 2. Preferably, however, the vertical dimensions thereof should be greater at the center than at the sides to conform more nearly with the shape of the breast. In the particular embodiment of the inventionillustrated in Fig. 2, the portions l2a are indicated as attached to the outer side of the. garment. Obviously Whether they are secured to the outer or inner sideof the garment is purely a matter of appearance and is immaterial insofar as their function as breast supporting means i is concerned. I

The invention has now been described and two embodiments thereof have been illustrated. Ob-

viously various changes might be made in the particular constructions illustrated without departing from the spirit of the invention. 1 The following is claimed:

1. In a brassiere or the like, a pair of definitely formed breast receiving pockets, the lower portion of each pocket comprising below the nipple portion thereof a breast supporting vertically extending centrally disposed stiffening zone portion of relatively thick but uniformly flexible .finely corded fabric material, each of saidzone portions being of substantially the same width throughout a portion of its height, the portions of saidpockets beside andabove said zone portions being of a relatively thin material readily conforming to the contour of the breasts resulting from the firm support of the under sides thereof by said zone supporting portions, whereby the breasts are supported by the application of a firm but gently lifting pressure over restricted vertical zones underneath and without undue or localized pressure either underneath or on the sides thereof.

2. In a brassiereof the character set forth in claim 1 wherein the breast supporting zones are .formed of a finelycorded fabric material with the cords extending vertically.

GEORGE A. KAUFMANN. 

